KWENA'S "AMAZING MENTALITY" LANDS THE BETWAY SA20 RISING STAR ANOTHER IPL DEAL

Kwena Maphaka’s rising star has no limits.

The 18-year-old took yet another significant step in his already famed career the past week at the IPL mega-auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The St Stithians prodigy, who only just finished his Matric examinations last week, sampled a taste of the IPL earlier this year with Mumbai Indians.

Despite a frenetic debut in unfavourable bowling conditions, Maphaka showed his resolve by fighting back in the next match.

This “amazing mentality” did not go unnoticed with Maphaka landing a new IPL deal worth Rs 1.5 crore (R3.2-million) with Rajasthan Royals.

Maphaka is, of course, already an integral part of the Royals family, having been retained by the Paarl Royals for Betway SA20 Season 3.

Royals Chief Executive Jake Lush McCrum is certainly impressed with Maphaka’s ability at such a tender age, which has led to the franchise committing to the long-term development of the teenager.

“He has high pace and swings it upfront. That combination is pretty rare that he can bowl at the speed he does and swing it quite significantly. That’s really attractive to us,” McCrum said.

The Royals have a rich history in developing young players – they also bought 13-year-old Indian prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi at the auction – as they approach each players’ development in a holistic fashion and not only from a cricket playing perspective.

“We met his mother last year when she came out, even though he was with MI (Mumbai Indians). Super people,” he said.

“And then you have his attitude as a person and the hunger to grow. He has an amazing mentality.

“We are looking to developing him in South Africa and bringing and even better Kwena back to the IPL in March.”

After missing out on last season’s Betway SA20 due to international commitments with the SA U19’s, Maphaka will be hoping to make his Paarl Royals debut in their competition opener against Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Boland Park on January 11, 2025.